I had contacted Ford Customer Service regarding the problem of shuttering on takeoff when towing. They contacted my dealer and worked out a solution, then told me to contact my dealer. The solution was to installed a set of "Timbrens" at a COST TO ME of $600. I of course declined this offer. On another forum a poster stated that his dealer in North Carolina installed a heavy duty drive shaft and carrier bearing which solved the problem. I told Customer Service about this but they were not interested. They even declined to call the dealer to check out the solution. Seems to me we are either stuck with the problem, fix it our self, or trade for a GM or Dodge.

 

Curious.. how heavy is your tow?

 

Wow! $600? I put a set of Timbrens on my 3/4 ton Chevy before I bot my Ford for less than $300. Besides, air bags would probably be a better choice. Hummph! Don't kno if I want to go talk to the service mgr. again or not now.

 

5th wheel weighs about 11,500, pin weight of 2500 pounds.

 

May want to read this post....

Ford says they will fix all my issues... - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com

 

Interesting read.

 

Loaded up my 5th wheel today and drove to my selling dealer [service manager] to discuss my launch shudder with him. Thought I could take him for a ride and demonstate it. Soon as he walked out to my rig he said I needed a 450 for my trailer and refused to take a ride. My truck is a F350 4x4 Dually Lariat with 3.73's and the 6.7 Same dealer that sold me this truck 2 mo ago knowing all the specs of my intended use...then it was "no problem at all, you could pull that with a Ford Fusion,{ok I embellish but you know what I mean]. I pull an 18000 lb Mobile Suites with a pin weight of 4000 lbs. This pin weight is the extreme as I weighed it with 100 gals of fresh water aboard to determine worst case scenario. My truck is rated at 22,600 max tow weight with a GVW of 13,300. Truck weighs 8640 loaded ready to roll, leaving 660 lbs. of payload available. Not even close on axle, tire or GCWR. I will add airbags to see if that helps, planned on that anyway. Guess it just jerked my wires that he wouldn't even take a ride after taking the trouble to load it up and get there....ok I feel better. As a side note I had occasion to drive the 45 mile route to the dealer today unloaded then loaded with the trailer 2hrs later. Outside temps had gone up about 10 degrees, empty my oil temps were 206-208 tranny 194-196. Loaded an hr later same route oil was 208-212 tranny was 196 pretty steady. Def didn't seem to be working too hard. At 62 with "texas" hills I avg 10-10.5. mph towing, 17-18 empty at 65. Love the truck over-all, just don't ask me about the engine brake....calm down just my opinion.
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Why doesnt Ford Customer Care show up on this site> I have a nice list of concerns for them

 

I would have the dealer give you this all in writing with a written quotation to do the work. Then call the Better Business Bureau on the Stealership and Ford and begin "Lemon Law" proceedings.

 

Why not try the Ford TSB procedure?
09-20-5*** SHUDDER OR VIBRATION ON ACCELERATION - ESPECIALLY WHEN LOADED

 

This was the procedure my service tech performed last Sept and he determined that my truck needed a 1-2 degree adjustment in the DA. When he went in to talk with the service mgr they looked on FOMOCO's computer and he told me there was a TSB on the issue and it suggested swapping the third member. So, they did and the problem still exists. Due to the fact that if you change the DA too much, you can affect the empty load ride, I haven't pursued a cure. My service mgr and service tech are both aware the problem still exists. I'm still waiting to see results of some of the others on here with same issue. I don't like to experiment with my baby.